News and notices about the vineyard and winery
Nets installed only a few weeks ago are removed just prior to picking. Unfortunately they go on a lot easier than they come off. The vines become entangled with the nets and are difficult to pull apart.
The nets in the photo are eight years old so despite some rough handling we get some wear out of them.
The Syrah is beginning to show veraison but unlike the Pinot Noir, at this stage, which must be completely netted or it will be ravaged by starlings, Syrah is rarely netted and, if so, only in selected areas. The Syrah clusters are larger than those for Pinot Noir, the berries , as well, are larger and their skin is tougher which may offer them more protection.
The first photo is of Syrah and shows the stage of veraison, or coloring. The second is of the entrance to the Lafond Winery and Vineyard showing the beginning of our Syrah block located next to Santa Rosa Road.
With veraison, the coloring of the grape, comes netting. This is the only sure protection against birds. Bright objects, fake falcons and even the periodic canon noises are no protection. They work for a while but the birds catch on quickly.
A crew of three can install five acres of nets in one day. They are harder to remove than install because the vines grow into the mesh and become attached. They are removed just prior to picking, usually the day before but sometimes only hours before. The nets are stored and used again the following year.
Veraison is now very noticeable and the darkening grapes will soon become very attractive targets to our bird population. Beginning Monday we will cover all our Pinot Noir Blocks with nets. It makes it diffficult for us to get in as well as the birds. Fortunately at this stage we can do no more — the grapes are on their own, we have done all we can.
The crop looks to be excellent — smaller than past years — which means the flavors could be more intense. Harvest seems about six weeks away.
To see the grapes developement over the season
Flowers provide a habitat for friendly predators.
Every year we plant large areas to flowers which come into bloom about this time. Because of their pollen and nectar they attract larger insects which follow the food chain preying on the smaller ones. We justify it as sustainable farming but the not so secret reason is we love the colors.
David Lafond, who took the photos, also selected the mix with an eye to color and size. These flowers which have just started to bloom will last well into harvest.
The Pinot Noir Block today. Ideal conditions warm days and cool nights, the crop looks smaller than usual — concentrated flavors, richer and darker. Stay posted.
This is the first leafing, there will certainly be one more and possibly two more. Leafing occurs at the fruit level on the lower wires. The top leaves are kept, they are necessary for the photosynthesis that will mature the grapes.
Removing the lower leaves opens the vine, permits better air circulation, balances the vine with its fruit. Vines have a tendency to over-compensate and produce excessive folliage.
The images show the nascent grapes and a worker leafing. The bottom image shows some of the leaves littering the ground.
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